Annual car show moves to new location

STANDISH TWP. — The Rockin’ Rides car and motorcycle show held in downtown Standish for the last 26 years is moving this year, as the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe is taking over operations of the show, which will be held at the tribe’s powwow grounds Aug. 9.

Kiwanis member Curt Hillman said the tribe approached Kiwanis and the Standish Area Chamber of Commerce, the longtime hosts of the event, about holding their own show. He said the tribe wanted to work with the city and not compete with it.

Hillman said it was becoming tough to find people to volunteer to work at the show year in and year out.

“I’ve had people help along the way, and they’d help for two or three years, and then I’d have to find someone else,” he said.

Hillman said when the tribe showed interest in a car show, it seemed like the right time to let someone else organize the event.

“When someone else volunteered, I figured it was time for me to retire from it,” he said.

Saginaw Chippewa Tribe Public Relations Manager Frank Cloutier said the tribe was involved with the car and bike show in the past and are pleased to pick up the torch and run with it for this year’s show.

“It’s a great event and it’s been part of the community for so many years,” he said.

“Curt’s done a fantastic job, but with so many responsibilities and commitments making it hard to continue, we thought it’d be a great event to take on.”

“It’s a NASCAR simulator, and when you go there, you have that opportunity to see what it’s like to be in the driver’s seat of a NASCAR race car,” he said. “And you’ll also have a chance to get in the drawing for NASCAR tickets.”

Cloutier said there will be raffle drawings throughout the day, food and beverages available and Can Am Spyder test drives.

Cars and motorcycles must check in between 6-10 a.m. If friends or family members want to have spots near each other in the show, they must be in line near each other, Cloutier said. Trophies will be awarded to the winning vehicles in the car and motorcycle show.

The Rockin’ Rides car and motorcycle show is free to attend for the public. It runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.